Understanding health insurance

Health insurance can seem complicated, but we’re here to make it simpler. Whether you’re considering private health cover for the first time or looking to make the most out of your current plan, our guides will break it all down and help you to understand how private health insurance works and how it could benefit you.

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What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance helps cover the cost of healthcare services that aren’t covered by Medicare. This includes both hospital treatments and other things, like dental check-ups, glasses and physio appointments. It’s an excellent way to gain peace of mind and take greater control of your health.

Curious about how to choose the right cover or how it affects your taxes? Explore our articles for all the answers you need.

Health Insurance Basics

How does Australia's healthcare system work? What are the benefits of having private health insurance? How to compare health funds and choose the right cover for you?

These guide will help answer all your health insurance questions and break down the various types of cover.

Tax & Rebates

Wondering if you need private health insurance for tax purposes? Are there any government incentives?

We’ve got all the details you need on how private health insurance could help you save at tax time.
 

Hospital & Extras offer - Want up to 8 weeks free and up to $500 in gift cards?

Join and maintain eligible Bronze hospital and extras cover or above and you could get up to 8 weeks free plus 50,000 Live Better points (couples and families) or 25,000 Live Better points (singles and single parents) to redeem on rewards like gift cards. We'll also waive 2&6 month waiting periods on extras. Use promo code: 8WEEKSPLUS. New members only.€

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Hospital & Extras offer

Health insurance tips

At different stages of life, you might find yourself considering health insurance. If you're new to it, the process can feel overwhelming. That's why we've created these guides to help answer your questions and make things clearer, so you can feel confident about your health insurance choices.

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Are you young and healthy?

Are you young and healthy, unsure if or when you should get health insurance? Discover the ideal age to consider private health cover, what happens when you turn 31, how long you can stay on your parents’ policy, and more.

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Are you raising kids or planning to start a family?

Explore the benefits of private health cover, from planning a family to caring for kids. Learn about pregnancy cover, extras for children, and how health insurance can support your family’s needs every step of the way.

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Are you retired or preparing for retirement?

As we get older, our health needs evolve, and having the right health insurance can make a significant difference in accessing quality healthcare and managing medical expenses. We cover everything you need to know about health insurance, helping you make informed decisions for your wellbeing and get the most out of your cover.

 Still confused about health insurance? Discover words and terms you might come across in the world of private health insurance and what they mean.

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Things you should know 

€ For new members on new memberships who join and start eligible combined Bronze hospital and extras cover or above from 16 January and who have not held Medibank health cover in previous 60 days (unless they are dependents coming off their parent’s cover). Must quote promo code 8WEEKSPLUS and set up direct debit when joining. Excludes Basic cover, Corporate covers, Hospital only cover, Extras only cover, Accident Cover, Overseas Visitors Health Cover, Overseas Workers Health Cover, Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance Cover, ahm covers, and other selected covers. Not available to Medibank employees. Not available with any other offer. Medibank reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Weeks free terms: Must set up direct debit when joining and hold eligible cover for 42 consecutive days from the policy start date to get initial 6 weeks free, and for 14 consecutive months to receive subsequent 2 weeks free. The initial 6 weeks free will be applied at the next billing cycle after you have held eligible cover for 42 consecutive days. The subsequent 2 weeks free will be applied at the next billing cycle after you have held eligible cover for 14 months. The initial 6 weeks free and/or the subsequent 2 weeks free will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period. Discounted amount to reflect level of eligible cover at time of discount.

2&6 month waits waived on extras terms: 2&6 month waiting periods on extras waived. Other waiting periods apply (including 12 months on some dental services). Annual limits apply. If you're switching from another fund and you’ve used any of your current limits (at that fund), that will count towards your annual limits with us. If you've reached your limits at your previous fund you may not be able to claim straight away on extras.

Live Better rewards points terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible product for 42 consecutive days from the policy start date to receive Live Better rewards points. The points will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period. Policyholder will require access to a smartphone and will need to download the My Medibank app. Policyholder will need to have registered a My Medibank account, sign up to Live Better via the My Medibank app and track a Live Better activity within 42 consecutive days from the policy start date.  Must be 16 years or over to register for Medibank Live Better. Live Better rewards points could take up to 10 weeks from the policy start date to be loaded to the policyholder’s Live Better account. Singles and single parents will receive 25,000 Live Better rewards points, and families and couples will receive 50,000 Live Better rewards points.

Live Better rewards terms: Must be a Medibank member with eligible hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Live Better via the My Medibank app to redeem rewards. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the redemption of a reward depending on the type of reward chosen. Read full Medibank Live Better terms here: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/rewards/terms/